Story Highlights

The Indiana Pacers should handle the trade deadline like they handled the Paul George trade.

Be patient. Be calculating. Have the conviction not to do a darn thing, unless you get exactly what you want.

Think back to last year’s NBA draft, when everyone knew George wanted out of town. Draft night came and went, and the Pacers still hadn’t traded him.

The next day, Pacers president Kevin Pritchard was barbecued from coast to coast. How could the Pacers not trade George on draft night? How would they ever get a decent return for their best player with reduced leverage?

We know how things turned out. Two weeks after the draft, the Pacers traded George and got Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Pritchard was barbecued, again, after the trade. But seven months later, Oladipo is an All-Star, Sabonis is a valuable 21-year-old center who looks destined for a splendid career, and the Pacers are one of the NBA’s biggest surprises, in position to make the playoffs.

Compared to the pressure of George’s situation, the upcoming trade deadline is low stress. The Pacers’ fan base is rejuvenated. The team is winning and entertaining. With powerhouse teams like the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets at the top of the NBA, there isn’t a realistic trade that would put the Pacers in position to win a championship this season.

That’s why the Pacers are likely to stand pat, and let this good thing they have play out with their current roster. If that happens, Pacers forward Thaddeus Young has no problem with it. In fact, he prefers it.

“I think we should just leave the team alone,” said Young. “I think we’re doing a really good job with who we have. There’s only so much better we can get through trade. I’m not the one making the decisions, but I think we’re in a good position where we can make some noise. We’re supposed to be getting Glenn (Robinson III) back soon, and that’s going to make us even better.”

The most intriguing trade rumor connected with the Pacers so far is their possible interest in Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker, who spent Friday night dropping 41 points on Indiana.

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

Walker is not a perfect fit for the Pacers at 6-1. An Oladipo-Walker backcourt would be vulnerable defensively against big guards. However, Walker fits the mold of players that Pritchard likes – solid person, young (27 years old), versatile, with proven NBA numbers. Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan was in Charlotte with Walker, so the Pacers have all the intel they need on what kind of player and person he is.

It’s impressive that Walker can play at a high level for a Charlotte team that is not very good. Opponents load up their defensive game plan to contain Walker, yet he still finds way to score, and to make winning plays like he did Friday night.

Oladipo, Sabonis and Myles Turner are the Pacers’ young foundation. If the Pacers could add Walker to that trio, it would give them another under-30-year-old weapon they could build around. But Oladipo, Sabonis, and Turner aren’t going anywhere, so if the Hornets are really going to deal Walker, they may find better value trading him elsewhere.

Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is also the kind of player the Pacers need – a stud defender and rebounder. But Jordan has an option to become a free agent next offseason, which likely takes him off the table for the Pacers, unless they had an agreement with him for a contract extension. The Pacers need to acquire players for the long haul, not just short term.

The Pacers front office and coaching staff has remained realistic despite their many bright moments so far. They want to see how the Pacers push through February, March, and April, with the team now expected to make the playoffs. If the Pacers make the postseason, they want to see how this team responds collectively and individually to playoff basketball, when the intensity rises to another level. That will give the Pacers more answers moving forward.

The Pacers have looked unfazed by the impending trade deadline, winning four of their last five, which is another indication of their focus. According to a report in USA Today, the Denver Nuggets have interest in landing Pacers point guard Darren Collison. What the Nuggets are willing to part with in return was not clear, but Collison has enough experience to tune out trade rumors.

“No matter where I’m at, I’m still going to give it my all and have an impact on my team,” said Collison when asked how he dealt with trade rumors. “Whatever happens, happens. You tell me, and I’ll do the same thing on that team.

“I’m not the GM. I’m not K.P. (Pritchard). That’s a hard decision to break up a team like this. We have a special thing this year. You can see it. The league is talking about us. The fans are talking about us. It’s not my call. I don’t want to make that decision. Every time around this year, every team, and every fan thinks their team has to make a trade.”

The Pacers don’t have to make a trade by Thursday. Not to make the playoffs. Not to shakeup a group of players who already have superb chemistry. Not to convince fans the franchise has a promising future. Instead of tearing down their roster and going through years of misery when George wanted out, the Pacers retooled quickly, smartly, and effectively. That allows them to be picky at the trade deadline. They need more talent to compete with the NBA’s top dogs. But they can wait until the offseason to get it.